Memories of our childhood: magical Balaton railway stations

The steam locomotive towering over the town in Balatonalmádi evokes the heroic era of past ages. It is hard to imagine now, but a century ago steam locomotives ran between Veszprém and Lake Balaton. Locomotive 375 680, visible on the bridge of Balatonalmádi-Öreghegy, commemorates this railway line, on which the busy Azúr Expressz also ran. The operation was terminated on the line's 60th anniversary, citing uneconomical reasons, and the rails were permanently dismantled in 1974. The Öreghegy station served as a flourishing railway station in the last years of the monarchy, decades after the last train left, a bicycle path now winds here, but it is also an excellent excursion point. The industrial monument rests on the pillars of the former railway bridge, on which a portrait of a locomotive was added as part of the Veszprém-Balaton 2023 European Capital of Culture programme.

Although the building of the Öreghegy railway station is only a memory after it was transformed into a holiday home in the 1990s, the Balatonalmád bath station is still an active centre in the life of the settlement, what is more, it forms a part of the stamp collection sites of the Blue Tour. Thus, even if only in mystical circles, the Öreghegy station is still an exciting point of the railway world.

If it is a steam locomotive, then the Csopak railway station can also boast a similar museum value: in May 2000, a locomotive number 375 arrived at the station, which since then, in addition to its decorative role, also operates as an open-air railway museum, its curiosity is that it also has bottle mail hidden in its lamp. But the hidden bottle mail is not the only thing that surprises you with an unexpected twist: the Csopak station is a real gastro-oasis, and at the same time, we can also state that the smallest bistro in the area is located here. The well-known atmosphere of railway restaurants is essential for the real "train experience", and we can get to know this in a reimagined form at Csopak.

A few steps from the platform, the Csopak Resti by Laurel operates in the former railway building, here, after a tiring journey, you can choose from the degustation menu instead of the escalope sandwich. The nostalgic atmosphere of the station and the mix of top-class restaurants create a fresh harmony, guiding us into a slightly utopian world. Everything is like being in a sophisticated apartment restaurant, only here the sound of trains is heard instead of jazz music.

Contrary to the subtitle, the situation is actually not so sad, although the Balatonfenyves light railway is the last one that operates daily, according to the schedule, there is no reason to worry, as it is in better condition than when it was new! The Light Railway in Balatonfenyves, better known as the Fenyves light railway, has been completely modernized in recent years: its stations have accessible spaces and bike racks, and at the Buzsák-Csisztafürdő stop, a small look-out tower has also been built, which, thanks to the rich natural environment, you can also try as a birdwatcher - and in the development decorative parks and playgrounds were also provided. The charm of the light railway lies in the fact that it is still used and operated by young students, so in addition to its role as a public service, it also amounts to a tourist destination. The railway romance continues to peak in the environment reminiscent of the works of István Fekete - from the train window, the rich fauna and flora of the grove can be seen before our eyes.

The Veszprémvölgy light railway also underwent a similar reconstruction, with the small difference that it no longer runs elsewhere. The locomotive, known as the Pioneer Railway, connected the Veszprém Amusement Park and the Kittenberg Kálmán Wildlife Park for only 10 years, yet it played a prominent role in the history of the town but its memory could only be discovered in traces until now. A few years ago, the "Veszprém light railway 2.0 initiative" was born. initiative", which aims to restore and then exhibit the original train. Thanks to the local civilians and the local government, the project was realized in October 2022: the Pioneer Railway shines in its original colours on the section below the Gulya hill, the toy dashboard can also be used by children, and the interior wooden furniture has also been installed furthermore, by reading the posted signs, we can go back 80 years in time. If you are more interested in the history of the light railway line, you can get to know the details on the Anno walk of the Túrajó Amusement Park while discovering the forgotten world of the former leisure centre.